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Education

July 21, 2020

Letter To The Editor: Chaos on EC School Board

I spent the last 12 years on the Ellwood City School Board before stepping down in December at the end of my third term. Through that experience, I have first-hand knowledge of how this Board operates. The way this Board has treated Superintendent Joe Mancini is a disgrace. Mr. Mancini did a great job during his years as Superintendent, but certain members of the Board have been out to get him for some time. Unfortunately, when I retired from the Board and Ms. Woodhead was not re-elected in the last election, there was a shift on the Board. Finally, when,…

July 20, 2020

Riverside School District Announces Return To School Plan

In an open letter published Friday, July 17th on the Riverside Beaver County School District website, the district Administrative Team published the district’s return to school plan, including information on transportation, face coverings and the district’s cyber program.  The statement reads as follows: The 2020-2021 school year is rapidly approaching, and our Pandemic Response Team is actively developing plans to accommodate a high level of rigor and curriculum delivery while also ensuring that all staff and students are safe to return to the buildings. It is imperative to note that Riverside families and students have been, and will continue to…

July 17, 2020

ECASD: Mancini Out, Shipley In As Interim Superintendent

In a special meeting Friday night, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Superintendent Joseph Mancini (effective September 22, 2020), voted to put him on administrative leave with pay until that date, and replaced him with Interim Superintendent Dr. Wes Shipley. Board President Renee Pitrelli; Board Vice President Gary Rozanski; and Directors Barbara Wilson, Matt Morella, Jean Biehls, Norman Boots, and Kathleen McCommons supported the moves. Directors Jennifer Tomon and Erica Gray dissented. Tomon publicly questioned Pitrelli regarding the appointment of Wesley as interim superintendent. “When did the board direct you to do so?”…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Planning Multiple Options for Back to School

Back to School this year could look quite different for the Ellwood City Area School District. Due to Covid-19, going back isn’t just as simple as going back. With state mandates and guidelines changing weekly, if not daily, administrators and educators in the district are working to develop multiple plans for multiple scenarios. The district’s pandemic task force and its subcommittees have been meeting regularly to make sure that students can return safely. “In late June, we were hoping for a full reopening,” said ECASD’s Superintendent Joseph Mancini at a recent board of directors meeting. Mancini said that hope changed…

July 14, 2020

ECASD Board Passes SEIU Contract

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ workers in the Ellwood City Area School Disrict now have a contract. The School Board unanimously approved a 6-year contract, which will secure all the jobs of the district cafeteria, custodial, maintenance, secretary/clerks and instructional and personal aides. According to Thomas Breth, legal counsel for the district, terms under the new contract, which is retroactive to 2017, all employees will remain employees. Workers agreed to a wage freeze. In addition, new hires will be subject to the elimination of one paid holiday, a reduction in starting wage, employee-only healthcare coverage, and a longer…

July 10, 2020

ECASD Board Announces Elimination of Principal

*Note: This story was updated at 3 p.m. on July 10 to reflect the announcement of a resolution to suspend employment of a principal at Ellwood City Area School District. Citing a substantial decline in student enrollment of 15 percent during the 2015-2016 through 2019-2020 school years in the Lincoln High School, grades 7-12 building, the Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors passed a resolution to suspend the employment of Nadia Engel, assistant principal at Lincoln High School. The resolution, received via email today, also states that the Board reserves the right to authorize and direct such other…

July 9, 2020

BC3 Announces Drive-Thru Commencement for Class of 2020

(Butler, PA) Graduates in Butler County Community College’s Class of 2020 can celebrate their achievement during a 1.2-mile-long drive-thru commencement that begins at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township.Graduates who attended BC3’s main campus or its additional locations in Armstrong, Butler, Jefferson, Lawrence or Mercer counties and who have registered for commencement should bring their mortarboard, gown, tassel and degree cover to the ceremony, which is expected to last daylong. Graduates who have registered for the drive-thru commencement will be informed of their designated arrival time by email. Only one vehicle is requested per graduate….

July 2, 2020

Riverside June Board Meeting Recap

On Monday June 15, the Riverside Beaver County School District board meeting commenced as usual with a focus on the 2020-2021 school year budget. At this meeting, a school budget of 25.35 million was passed with an 8 to 0 vote with one member absent. It was also agreed on there not being a property tax increase and the board used $298,924 of surplus funds to meet budget. There was also 5 teacher retirement approvals, one resignation, and one of the teaching positions will be filled with a replacement. The budget included the retirement of 5 teachers with one of…

July 1, 2020

BC3 Announces President’s List, Dean’s List and Graduates for Spring 2020

Butler County Community College announced the names of students who have made the President’s List and Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester, as well as the names of those who have graduated recently. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA (grade-point average) of 3.75 or higher are named to the President’s List following completion of at least 12 semester hours or upon completion of degree requirements. Students who have achieved a cumulative GPA (grade-point average) of 3.5 to 3.74 are named to the Dean’s List following completion of at least 12 semester hours or upon completion of degree requirements….

June 30, 2020

ECASD Board Votes to ‘Remove’ Principal, Hire Three Teachers

The Ellwood City Area School District Board of Directors has voted to “restructure” the administration to eliminate the position of one principal and hire three teachers (2nd, 3rd, 5th grades). In a last minute motion, before tabling a vote on the $30 million budget, Director Jean Biehls made the motion to remove the principal. Biehls was joined with yes votes from Board President Renee Pitrelli and Directors Barbara Wilson, Kathleen McCommons, and Norman Boots. Directors Jennifer Tomon, Erica Gray, and Gary Rozanski voted “no.” The same three directors voted “no” to the hiring of the three teachers. This motion and…